Surveillance of ticks on animals in Alberta

Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (AF), Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services conduct a surveillance program for ticks. The program monitors the type of ticks that attach to companion animals, livestock and humans, and also those found in the environment.

Certain species of tick (such as Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes pacificus) are considered to be possible carriers of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. These ticks will be tested for the presence of the bacteria to better understand the risk of Lyme disease in Alberta.

Submit-a-tick!

If Albertans find ticks on their animals, they should contact their veterinarian. Veterinarians can submit ticks found on companion animals or livestock in Alberta year-round, at no cost. The results of testing will be reported back to the veterinarian and to the Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian.

Veterinarian tick submission form with packaging and free shipping details and a brief history to fill out on the host animal (downloadable PDF – file size 1.96 MB).

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For more information about the content of this document, contact Daniel Fitzgerald.
This document is maintained by Jane Calvert.
This information published to the web on June 22, 2010.
Last Reviewed/Revised on January 11, 2018.